Shade please!

[starjasmine89]

:idea: Recently, I have been researching on "survival rate of some plant species". I have been trying many basil plants. They didn't last. Finally, greek basil (I am sure of that) last long enough for me to be happy. :cloud9:

While I provide shade indoors, I also provide shade on the balcony. Many of the plants that I look after are looking for shade. Plants/herbs like brami ( eaten to enhance memory) get thirsty very often. Their beds are covered with pine barks and/or mulch. Their leaves are sheltered by brick walls, other plants and .... :scratch: .... "ah" that's right :idea: the "walls" of containers or planter boxes that are taller than the plants. I wish I can add a water system too. :wait: just wait, I guess.

Anyway, Happy (one week old) Year (almost) and :beer: to a fresh new garden where plants and us regenerate in the sun. :dance:

starjasmine89

I can't wait till the fruits of my miniature "bush cherry" fruit tree appear . I'll enjoy the flowers for now. The fruits certainly will not be typical bush cherrys. They are shaped like bells.

[Csara]

Sounds like your plants are doing well. Congrats!

[Turtleheadfred]

Hey! Sounds like you've figured most of it out. All of my herbs to great, but most of them are actually in the ground. I have several basil species/varieties, as well as thyme, oregano, lemon balm, camomille, mint, catmint(for the cat), etc. but they all like sun for the most part. When I bring the container ones in for the winter, I put them on a plantstand by a sunny window and just make sure I have watering trays under them so they can be watered well.

Pacysandra (sp?) once it gets started is very hardy and LOVES shade and will choke out weeds, but it is a ground cover so you need to contain it. Also several hostas will tolerate partial to full shade as will many ferns - you just need to be sure of your types.

Also, as long as you don't get a super hard freeze, you can put out pansies in the fall and they will stay through spring until it gets really warm - which will help hold your garden over until the warm stuff gets going good!

Good luck on everything and just remember - it's all trial and error. Something I've found helpful is to talk to older people in your neighborhood about their plantings... usually they will know what's hardy and tried and true for your region because they've "been there and done that"! :D

[Time Traveler]

I have had tremendous good fortune growing Basil of the most common variety. One of my plants has a hard woody base as big around as my thumb. Gosh, I've lost track of time, but it must be coming up on 5 years old. Each Autumn as it begins to go to seed, I'll prolong the harvest by pinching off the seed brachs and eventually cut her back to the heaviest branches. I have found that basil loves the morning sun, full strength, but the middle of summer is a bit much on the tastey leaves, so my baby has an Eastern home year round. I water less in the cooler months and feed with a time release fertilizer that lasts about 3 months. Osmocote is a great product.
RoseMary is another sunny herb that is quite drought tolerant as well. I have seen long hedge rows of rosemary that just over power the senses with the pungent smell. I love to use the freash leaves of this marvel in cooking chicken and pork, sparingly of course, a little of this goes a long way.
Good Luck along the way of your growing adventures, Star, I have some stories about Jasmine too.... ;)

[starjasmine89]

Hi Turtleheadfred,
:hatsoff:

Thanks for the tips. I did ask one neighbour about his plants. He said "I don't get much sun.... lucky you have the top floor"

I live on the third and highest floor in my block. I don't get to see much plants in others' balcony, expect for a small collection next door.

When I get full sunlight in the morning, I really get a strong sun beaming down.

Often I sigh, "need my hat". However, the plants provide me a purpose to wake up early to water them. :sleep: "oh no, I'll hurt the plants, it's too hot; water is too hot/cold" (my conscience: :nono: "that happens a lot" ).

ok, finish up for now :type: bye

starjasmine89

[starjasmine89]

thanks Time Traveler,
I'll go and start a round of Osmocote with added trace minerals.
Does basil ever get too much sunlight indoors?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Sadly, some plants prefer liquid fertilizers. Maybe I should :read: and then label the pots in the order: name of preferred fertilizer, amount to add, frequency, time of the year

Sounds like a plant nurse do I ? :lol:

Thanks again...
short sketch/act:
jasmines come in so many varieties .... "oops what your name again?" plant's reply: "not again"

hope u had fun reading.... :)